Auxiliary meter plug



April 17, 1934. DE wlTT w. LAMBERT 1,955,193

AUXILIARY METER PLUG Filed Feb. 10, 193s 1 Z2 De mit WLambe rt,

Patented Apr. 17, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to auxiliary meter plugs and has for its object to provide an improved structure of plug to more effectually prevent the practice of cutting-out the meter so that the 5 latter will not register current consumption.

The invention further aims to provide an auxiliary plug of this type which is relieved of all strain or pressure by the conductor which passes therethrough, and to also provide a structure wherein better contact is had by the conductor with the main plug, thereby preventing arcing.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a top plan view in fragment and partly broken away and in section of a meter having the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the invention.

The meter 1 is shown equipped with the usual or main plugs 2 that are secured to a wall 3 of the meter box and which have axial bores 4, and the usual metal contact members 5 likewise having bores 6 in register with the bores 4. The usual screw '7 for the conductor C is employed and projects into the bore 6.

The invention resides in an auxiliary plug having a small inner end 8 formed to be received in the bore 4 and an enlarged outer end 9, the resultant shoulder l0 being shaped to abut against the outer end of the usual plug 2. Obviously, various shapes and sizes of the auxiliary plugs are contemplated, in accordance with the type of main or usual plugs of the meter. The enlarged outer end 9 has a true axial bore 11 while the inner end 8 has a smaller and inclined bore 12 which latter terminates with its bottom flush with the bottom of the bore 6.

In use, the auxiliary plug is inserted in the main plug, and then the conductor is stripped of a part of its insulation, so that the free end of the conductor passes through the inclined bore 12 and its extremity lies within the bore 6. In threading the free end of the conductor through the inclined bore l2 it will be seen that such free end will be automatically deflected and engaged with the'bottom of the bore 6. The auxiliary plug, is of course inserted so that the bottom of the bore 12 is in register with the bottom of the bore 6, whereby, when the Screw '7 is engaged firmly with the extremity of the conductor C the latter will be seated at against the bottom of the bore 6 and at the same time the auxiliary plug will be relieved of strain or pressure. Thus breakage of the plug at the inner end of the bore 8 is reduced to a minimum, and the entire end of the conductor, which projects within the bore 6 contacts with the bottom wall of the latter and assures a good electrical connection. Due to the fact that the end 9 is of greater 50 size than that of the bore 4 of the meter plug a more elective and stronger structure is had, and further due to the inclined bore 12 and the shoulder l0, greater security is had against the insertion of a wire in any short-circuiting attempt, such security being accentuated by the long bore 11-12 of the auxiliary plug.

From the foregoing it will be seen that with use of the present invention anyone desiring to cut-out the meter so that it will not register cannot insert a wire aside of the power wire going into the meter and looping the other end of the wire onto the outlet of the supply wire coming out of the meter, thus breaking the circuit exteriorly of the meter so that same will not register.

What is claimed, is:

1. In combination with a meter main plug secured to a meter box and having an axial bore and a conductor engaging screw extending transversely of the bore and projecting into the latter, an auxiliary plug having an end received in the outer end of the main plug and having an enlarged outer encl forming a shoulder which abuts the outer end of the main plug, said auxiliary plug having a bore which is straight at its outer end and which inclines downwardly at its inner end and at its extremity registers with the adjacent wall of the bore of the main plug whereby to cause that part of the conductor which projects within the bore of the main plug to be engaged throughout its length with the said wall in a straight line.

2. In combination with a meter main plug secured to a meter box and having an axial bore and a conductor engaging screw extending transversely of the bore and projecting into the latter, an auxiliary plug having an end received in the outer end of the main plug and having an enlarged outer end forming a shoulder which abuts the outer end of the main plug, said auxiliary plug having a bore which inclines downwardly and at its extremity registers with the adjacent wall of the bore of the main plug whereby to 105 cause that part of the conductor which projects within the main plug to be engaged throughout its length with the said wall in a straight line.

DE W'I'I'I W. LAMBERT. 110 

